THE CURRENT bird flu crisis is not only an immediate, short-term problem, it is likely to be a continuing emergency that will last several years, says Joseph Domenech, the Food and Agriculture Organisation's (FAO) chief veterinary officer.
Due to the rapid spread of the disease, the FAO said it now needs US$308 million for its contribution to the global programme to control avian influenza over the next three years.
This is more than twice the sum required a few months ago.
MONEY SPENT
To date, FAO has only received US$71 million.
Of that total, the organisation has spent over US$20 million supplying goods and services to 87 countries.
Approximately US$10 million has been spent in laboratory and veterinary supplies and equipment; more than US$6 million in human resources, including veterinarians and other experts; almost US$1.5 million for training in laboratory, epidemiology and wildlife activities; over US$500,000 for diagnostic reference and training, and epidemiological studies in the field, and US$2 million for general operating expenses.
Mr. Domenech warned that the virus is expected to cause significant damage to the bird population and domestic poultry industry worldwide, which could cause major disruptions in the economies of many countries.
FAO is concerned that international interest is focused almost exclusively on the possibility of avian flu affecting human populations to the neglect of its potentially devastating impact on poultry and other animals.
This, argued Domenech, is an indication of the authorities' failure to recognise that the best way to protect people is to control and try to eradicate the disease in animals.
The FAO is stressing that the international fight against avian flu must start with increased surveillance and monitoring of poultry and other animals.
This should be supported by rapid reporting of any outbreaks to the competent authorities and strict measures to limit the spread of the disease through culling and the secure disposal of sick animals and control of the movements of animals and products.
EXERCISE CARE
It is also urging farmers and traders, and all others who come into close contact with poultry, to be particularly careful about ensuring basic hygienic standards and to tighten up biosecurity on the farm.
The movement of poultry to and from markets, and people involved in poultry production and marketing, are the main spreaders of the disease to previously unaffected areas.
